Volunteers needed

Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County is seeking volunteers to help start construction of its last home of 2012 this week.

Today is a Day of Remembering when veterans and others are encouraged to come out and work together to remember our service members and 9/11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., working primarily on the walls.

Wednesday will be a regular crew day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to continue work on the walls and begin the roof.

Habitat is hosting Villa Maria, a Christian retreat center, and its crew of young people Thursday, and adults are needed to help teach the youths. Crews will work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on insulation, the garage and other rough framing.

On Saturday students from Westminster College will work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., primarily on the roof.

This is HFHMC’s first home built in Boardman. Construction will continue Saturdays and Wednesdays throughout the fall. Volunteers do not need to have any construction skills to participate. Volunteers are needed for all days. Anyone interested should call 330-743-7244, ext. 302.

Gardening workshop

Youngstown

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. hosts a “Fruit Trees and Orchards” workshop as part of its Vacant Land Reuse Workshop series, from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The free workshop is on Mineral Springs Avenue on the South Side.

The workshop will focus on tree selection, spacing, planting, maintenance and pruning for a successful urban orchard. For information, call 330-480-0423.

East Liverpool, Salem receive grants

Two Columbiana County cities have received grants from the Community Housing Improvement Program from the Ohio Department of Development.

East Liverpool will receive $93,000, and Salem will get $78,000. The grants are designed for housing-related activities, including supportive housing activities, such as rental assistance.

“We provide Ohio’s most- vulnerable citizens with safe housing options, remove blight and position our communities for economic growth,” said Christiane Schmenk, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Improving the housing conditions in our neighborhoods is an investment in the community’s future.”

Nominations sought for council vacancies

Youngstown

District 6 Natural Resources Assistance Council, charged with reviewing and scoring local conservation projects for state funding through the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, is seeking two nominations for council vacancies.

Applicants must fit designated criteria to qualify for a council position and be prepared to serve a three-year term.

For information, see the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments website at www.easgatecog.org, or contact program manager Rachel McCartney at 330-779-3800.

Fire in Cortland

CORTLAND

Eleven fire departments responded to a blaze at 224 Pearl St. that broke out about 8:45 p.m. Monday.

Trumbull County dispatchers said the structure was fully engulfed and that it’s believed to be a barn that is part of Cortland Hardwood Products.